Hi keeptradin, Actually, what you've said works for a new business or a business currently going through a slow down period and wants to attract new clients... Yet, an establish business doesn't need to do such because profits are good and they've already been through that free product testing phase of their business. Simply, their satisfied with their business profits and don't need to offer free-trials of the actual product but may offer a free service of something else. Which may raise another question... Why are they sponsors at E.T. if that's the case (profits are good)? Why does TradeStation advertise here...why does Interactive Brokers advertise here... Maybe they are here to ensure profits stay that way... Wouldn't it be nice if brokers offered free commissions for a month while we test their execution platforms with our hard earned money on the line? Why do car dealerships allows us to test drive their cars prior to purchase? Is a spin around the block or a quick stint on the freeway suitable enough to make an informed auto purchase. How about a free one week use for first time car buyers...wouldn't that line them up or is that not a good business marketing gimmick? How come subway doesn't allow me to try their new Turkey Sandwich for free... Surely if it was good...I'll go tell all my pals and they'll be lining up at Subway's door? My perspective is not just about the business of trading... It's about many different types of business. Here's my perspective to be more specific...all the following individuals I personally know (childhood friends, ex-college roommates, relatives or friends of the family): Owner of a printing company. Owner of a beauty salon. Fish Import Consultant Private practive Doctor (sports medicine) Private practice Dentist Private practice Occupational Therapist. Expresso Stand Owner (several of them) Owner of a Ice Cream store ___________ In the beginning of the life of their business... They used marketing gimmicks like 1/2 price off, holiday special, free exams, free offers, free consultation et cetera. For example...my pal the dentist in his first two years (for 1 week every 3 months) gave free oral exams and cleaning to the first 25 clients after the advertisement hit local newspaper. That was almost 10 years ago and he no longer does advertisements like that because his business is prospering, profits are good, he's well established in the surrounding communities et cetera. Heck...I'm his friend and he charges me the normal rate he charges his other clients. In addition, he's probably one of the most expensive dentists in his area. Another example...a friend of the family open an unusual ice cream store about 7 years ago. Business was not very good the first few months and he was forced to lay off one employee... So he came up with a marketing gimmick...FREE ice cream (1 cone per person) on Fridays. It was a big hit and his ice cream became the talk of the town (one of the best tasting stuff I've ever had). Nowadays, no marketing gimmicks and not even a free small spoon taste. His ice cream is always the talk of the town for those that crave ice cream and business is doing very well. Here's another example...a relative...a beauty salon owner has been unprofitable each and every year for about the past 15 years. She's well known but makes no effort to marketing her salon. However, her husband a University professor does very well financially along with having a very nice income from his consulting business. My cousin keeps her business because its a social thing for her...keeps her busy and she enjoys doing what she does... She even does hair for free sometimes and the phone doesn't ring off the hook eventhough she does the hair of a few well known Chicago celebrities. It's a myth that clients will line up if they get a free try or look at the product...even if the product is good. Heck...I've seen poor products...with non-deceptive advertising... However, advertised very well...bring in big bucks for business until they lose their fad sort'uv speak. Also, word of mouth from satisfied clients is the ticket for many business while not the ticket for others. With that said, just because you got a good product and market it for free... Does not guaranteed they'll be lining up at the door even if you offer a good service. I've seen a few business go bankrupt doing such...offering sales, freebies et cetera while the Mom & Pop business down the street was doing ok selling the same product without sales or freebies. I know what your going to say...those business probably marketed the free stuff the wrong way or in a way it hurt their bottom line. My point is this...if someone believes they have a good product and meeting whatever business goals they may have... These are the least likely businesses that are going to offer free testing of their products because they know they won't gain much from it (not worth the time and effort). It is possible this is where BDT is currently at... They just don't need to offer any free trials. I'm a member of three private free chat rooms...one of which I moderate myself. I know for fact that most that enter chat rooms...either don't have a trading account, are undercaptitalized, just bored, want to spam, checking out the competition, looking for a place to vent their frustration... Very few are actually interested in trading. Last of all, I know very little about BDT. At this point in my trading career I'm more interested in education...learning something new to improve my current trade methodology. Learing in person while watching over somone's shoulder while they trade... Something I take advantage of whenever I get the chance to meet an online trading pal or friend of a friend. Therefore, if BDT ever offered a free trial...I'll probably try it out of curiosity or boredom to see what all the fuss was about with no intentions of becoming a paid client. P.S. If EliteTrader.com ever becomes a fee-based forum vendor... It wouldn't need to offer any free subscriptions because its established... I guess that's my point. NihabaAshi
NihabaAshi - IMO, it's not really about a free trial or not. It's about their claims. No one needs a free trial - or even a trial of any sort - to know that there is no Eric in Orgeon making 5-10% per day on a 7 figure account based on the calls from the service. We all know that if I spend $449 for the "top and bottom picking course" that I'm NOT going to be able to "PICK EVERY TOP AND EVERY BOTTOM" by using their indicators - like it says in the course description. You don't need to take the course in order to know that is hogwash. Of course BDT says "well, you don't know that unless you try our service" - and we say "well, give us a free month and if it's true we will sign up.". Well, come on - you don't really need to try the service to know that the claims on the website are absolutely misleading at best, and absolutely false in reality.
Would you go to a Dentist who doesn't practice? kind of like a do it yourself clinic. Doctor only can tell you how to do a surgery but you have to do it yourself. How much does a Doctor worth without practicing on a daily basis? BDT stated that he doesn't trade his calls.
I also wonder how much an Ice cream guy would make selling only recipes without ever making Ice cream. Would you buy a recipe without tasting ice cream first. Just based on the claims. "...now I am eating 3-5 pounds per day" Eric from Oregon
yes. particullarly when the claims are clearly a fabrication. the vanity of a person that would make these outrageous claims is truly incredible. making these claims in this forum is just plain stupid. it's like going to a neurosurgeon convention and claiming you can do brain transplants.......
Quah, I understand your point. I was just addressing something Keeptradin said about businesses in general and was the reason why I highlighted (underlined) it in his quote... ...any type of business... Nothing more. NihabaAshi
Balda, Actually...when I competed heavily in sports on the international level... I saw a sports psychologist for several years to overcome some issues in my preparation for tournaments... It helped me tremendously along with helping others that were clients of his. He didn't even compete in our sport...he just knew how to help give us an edge. As for your question about the dentist... I recent went through a very serious health problem that resulted in a root canal (several). My dentist had to get consultation from other dentist that no longer practices (retired) but dentists he respects and has always given him good advice (consultation) in the past. I no longer have any more health problems simply via the dentist approaching me a little differently than he has with any other patient... The difference was that he got helped from those that no longer practice (retired). My point is this...a trader can learn a lot from someone else that teaches trading and no longer trades. However, that depends greatly on how well the teacher teaches (communication skills, education materials et cetera)... Like many of my college professors when I was in college. If the teacher didn't have good communication skills...I dropped the class in a heartbeat and registered with someone else. Yep...there were times when that professor was the only one teaching the course... Those situations I got a tutor or was in a study group of those that understand the professor. Here's another example...I'm into darkroom photograhy... If I get stump (a problem develops in which I cannot figure out a solution)... I call a good friend in Seattle for consultation. I've seen his images but have never had the opportunity to work with him in a darkroom... I've done this with him for many years since leaving Seattle...obviously I still consult with him because he gives good advice...that work. I guess my answer to your question is Yes... I would go to a Dentist that doesn't practice... For consultation only. However, if you meant would I go see someone that has never been a dentist and only gives advice... I think what I said about the sports psychologist answers that. In all fairness...the sports psychologist was recommended to me by a trusted friend that had prior discipline problems and overcame such via the help of this guy that works with athletes in different types of sports. Note: This reply is not about BDT...just about the question by Balda. Now...back to BDT...someone name ActionOne tried the service for 2-3 months... He/she wasn't sure about things that I felt should be made clear by any headtrader...regardless if they are trading their calls or not. That opinion carries more weight than those that have not used the service. I've visited many public and private chat rooms...trade signals should not be ambiquous and newbies should be smart enough to know that they aren't going to get the price that's posted by the headtrader. Once again...I have not tried their service... Don't need to unless its a free trial and I'm bored and just want to see first hand what all the fuss is about... With no intentions of becoming a paid client. NihabaAshi
Here is my opinion. The reason why many real traders are on this thread bashing BDT and giving him a hard time is because at the end of the day... he makes all of us look like shit. So does Waxie and all the other idiots. ANyone that makes these outrageous claims and easy money.. %1 a day crap makes trading look so easy that a monkey can do it. Any professional or businessman will look at the industry full of hucksters and make a million dollars in 6 months BS. Its similar to what Carlton Sheets does to the real estate business.. except I would say he has more class and credibility. You get some no name guy that doesnt even trade his own money telling others that he can teach them how to make $18k a day.. c'mon any one with half a brain smells that shit. People like LBR and David Floyd... both have chat rooms but they are much more professional. They dont have pie in the sky claims... are real traders that actually made a great living off it. I like to take trading as a very serious and difficult career that has excellent rewards but abnormal risks involved. The last thing I want is people to start thinking is that its just a matter of clicking buttons and sitting in a chat room all day. It makes many traders ashamed of what they do for a living. If anyone dare come on this thread ( and thats a threat) and claim that they can teach people to make a potential of $18k a day.. better have some good evidence and proof to back it up.. otherwise.. they will be fed to the dogs w/o any pitty. We are elite traders here.. not a bunch of sheep herd. --MIKE